BCBSM coverage decisions on 2014 HCPCS codes available online

The 2014 Current Procedural Terminology codes were released in mid-October. We have begun working to implement these new and revised codes in our claims processing systems. You may begin using these new codes on or after Jan. 1.

BCBSM will publish coverage decisions in PDF format on web-DENIS:

• Click on BCBSM Provider Publications and Resources.
• Click on Newsletters and Resources.
• Under the What’s New section, click on 2014 HCPCS update.
  or
• Click on Newsletters Past Issues and Indexes.
• Click on The Record.
• Click on 2014 HCPCS update.

To request a copy of the PDF, please send an email to ProvComm@bcbsm.com.

We will also identify codes deleted for 2014. As you know, a 90-day grace period is no longer observed for any procedure code deleted as part of the update.

Due to this fall’s federal government shut-down, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services delayed its release of the 2014 Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System codes. So, those codes are not yet included in the HCPCS News document on web-DENIS. The current document includes only CPT codes from the American Medical Association. We will add the 2014 HCPCS codes as soon as our coverage determinations for them are available.

BCBSM's claims processing systems use HCPCS codes to allow health care providers to report services they performed. HCPCS is a two-level coding system. Providers should use the following resources to find the code that best describes the service provided:

• Level I codes are published in the Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology, CPT 2014 maintained by the American Medical Association. For a comprehensive list of 2013 changes, refer to Appendix B. The CPT 2014 manual may be purchased from the AMA over the phone or by ordering online.
• 1-800-621-8335
• amapress.com**

• Level II codes are the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services codes and apply to professional services, procedures, items and supplies. For a comprehensive list of CMS Level II code changes, refer to the HCPCS Level II Code Book. A hard-copy file for these codes can be ordered from:
  
  U.S. Government Printing Office
  Superintendent of Documents
  P.O. Box 371954
  Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954
  202-512-1800

**BCBSM does not control this website or endorse its general content.